David R. Shaw

David R. Shaw, a longtime coach, educator and entrepreneur, died peacefully at the Hearth at Windermere Retirement Community in Fishers on Sept. 23. He was 87 years old. He was born Aug. 17, 1927, in Indianapolis, the son of the late Joe and Olive Shaw. David, know affectionately as "Coach" to family and friends, was a 1945 graduate of Manual High School, where he was an all-city athlete in football, basketball and track in multiple years. He was a two-time state champion for the Manual track team, and was named the high school's Athletic Alumnus of the Year in 1993. After high school, he accepted a football scholarship to play at Purdue University, becoming one of the first freshman to ever start at Purdue. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity at Purdue. He was drafted into the Navy in 1945, serving in Norfolk and the Naval Academy Prep School, where he also played football. He returned to Purdue in 1947, but left after the death of his father. In the spring of 1949, he was contacted by the Detroit Lions of the NFL and invited to try out as the team's punter. He realized then his real ambition was to be be a teacher and coach. He enrolled at Indiana Central University (now University of Indianapolis) in 1949, and played football two more seasons for the team. Upon graduation in 1951, the school asked him to become its football coach the next season. While at Indiana Central, he met his future wife, Alvera Baldwin, an avid sports fan who also was studying to be a teacher. They married in 1952. The next year, David led Indiana Central to its only undefeated football season in the school's history. He left Indiana Central to become the football coach, teacher and athletic director at Seymour High School, in Seymour, Ind., in 1954. He remained at Seymour for seven years, adding another undefeated team to his resume. He completed his Master's Degree in Education at Indiana University in 1957. In 1961, he returned with his growing family to Indianapolis to become the football and track coach, and a teacher, at Warren Central High School. He again coached an undefeated team, and had only two losing seasons in 13 years there. He is a member of the Warren Central Coaches Hall of Fame. After retiring as football coach, he settled into life as a teacher and businessman. He owned numerous rental properties on the Eastside and in Carmel, as well as S&H Campground in Greenfield, Ind., with his friend and fellow coach, the late Leo Hein. In 1977, he was approached by the superintendent of the Seymour School System with the possibility of returning as the high school principal. He served as the principal for 10 years, retiring to Bloomington, Ind., at the age of 59. In retirement, he and Alvera traveled extensively, and he took up poetry and painting. Golf became a passion, and he registered two holes-in-one at the Pointe Golf Course outside Bloomington. He remained active well into his 80s. David is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Alvera; a son, David J.; and his siblings Della, Joe and Phyllis. He is survived by his brother, Art of Indianapolis; his daughter and son-in-law, Ellynn and Doug Stein of Fishers; his son and daughter-in-law, Norm and Christi of Mountain View, Calif.; grandchildren Matt (Lyndsey), Rob and Allyson Stein, and Nita (Andy Douglas) and Erin (Mike Crowley), and Amelia and Ellen Shaw; and two great-grandchildren, Ella Stein and John Douglas. A Celebration of Life will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center - Washington Park East, 10722 E Washington St, Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his alma mater, Manual High School Scholarship Fund, The Manual Alumni Association, c/o Willis Overton, 2732 Saturn Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46229.